Francophile Friday: Meow Jaune

  • 29.7.11

ink & watercolour illustration, 7" x 8.75" [18 x 22.5cm] ACQUIRE PRINTS
Followers of le Tour de France {and most people with a telly} will know that this year, for the first time, an Australian won the maillot jaune ~ yellow jersey ~ and if a fluffy toy was given for Most Valiant and Humble, Cadel Evans would have won that, too.  Afficionados with the gist of tactics and technicalities will wax lyrically about what a beautiful race it was from that perspective.  As for me, I just did a big happy dance.  Life's simple Chez Shell.  In celebration of Cadel's win, I've gone to the archives and dug back a couple of years to find this fine Paris Jaune inspiration thanks to dear Virginia of Paris Through My Lens.  My interpretation heads towards the pumpkin side of yellow, but it's the thought that counts. Rather than be predictable, our kitty is not cycling today, but limbering up for her ballet class.  Or endeavouring to open the door.  Shall we help her out?  And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!
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28 comments

  1. Favourite Vintage FindsJuly 29, 2011 at 4:24 PM

    Hooray for our Cadel! That tutu looks fab on kitty! I'd love to see her dance! Happy weekend Shell! xo

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  2. AnonymousJuly 29, 2011 at 8:03 PM

    Shell, you never cease to amaze us, with your paintings and your prose!How absolutely splendiferous that an Aussie won that Tour de France. Bravo, bloke. (Or, ragazzo, as the case may be.)

    Yvonne da Atherton

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  3. dkshopgirlJuly 29, 2011 at 11:08 PM

    your kitty is quite the attention grabber - love her in that tutu... so chic... lovely illustration - as per usual... :-) happy friday x

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  4. Petrea BurchardJuly 30, 2011 at 2:17 AM

    Thanks for the video of Cadel. You can see how moved he was, and it is sweet to watch. What a guy! Your commemorative illo should warm his heart; it does mine.

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  5. AnonymousJuly 30, 2011 at 6:28 AM

    Yes, I can see the lovely kitty will be performing her paw de deux in celebration.

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  6. Shell SherreeJuly 30, 2011 at 10:13 AM

    Favourite Vintage Finds ~ the weekend cyclers will be out in even greater force now. :) Happy weekend to you and Brrrt.

    Yvonne ~ thank you, bella. And hip-hip-hooray for Cadel! I still smile at him being the oldest rider to win since before World War II, at the ripe age of 34. If I was a betting girl, I'd wager he'll give them a ride for their money again next year.

    Thanks, dkshopgirl ~ happy Saturday!

    Petrea ~ he is adorable and I think quite overcome. His coach Aldo Sassi passed away last year and was close in his thoughts. I have a feeling he was riding along with him.

    Oh, Hiker ~ nice one!

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  7. Susan CampisiJuly 30, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    Bravo, Cadel! What a moving video. I can see why you did the happy dance. Did the kitty in the tutu join you at Chez Shell? She's darling.

    I wonder if Hugh and his French bulldog, Dali, saw Cadel win:
    http://www.people.com/people/news/category/0,,personsTax:HughJackman,00.html

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  8. AlexaJuly 30, 2011 at 11:46 AM

    Let's hear it for your boy Cadel! He's impressive on so many levels. Looks like Kitty has made a Repetto run—for tutus and toe shoes. She (and you!) have done V's pretty Parisian door proud too.

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  9. Ms MJuly 30, 2011 at 12:07 PM

    Kudos to Cadel! And wonderful illustration! Kitty looks marvelous in her tutu. By all means, let's help her open the door, then watch her do a "happy dance".

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  10. from caliJuly 30, 2011 at 12:15 PM

    How is it possible that these doors seem to say "welcome" and "do not enter" at the same time? Sure are beautiful.

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  11. Shell SherreeJuly 30, 2011 at 8:20 PM

    Susan ~ Dali is a scrumptious little fellow ~ so lovely that they've flown him around with them!

    Alexa ~ she'd look too-too cute wandering into Repetto.

    And we might need to stand on each other's shoulders, Ms M. Those are pretty big doors.

    Cali ~ that's a lovely observation!

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  12. Andrea RehJuly 31, 2011 at 8:15 AM

    As a Kiwi, I wasn't quite so excited by Cadel's win - but I can get excited by this gorgeous picture. it's lovely.

    Andrea x

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  13. AnonymousJuly 31, 2011 at 2:37 PM

    Oh, my. I just watched the video, and my eyes have these funny wet things in them!

    Alors, if bike riding gives you such trim figures, I'm buying a treadly. :-)

    Yvonne da Atherton

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  14. Shell SherreeJuly 31, 2011 at 6:33 PM

    Hi, Andrea ~ lovely to meet you and thank you! I did laugh at your comment over Cadel's win. Understandable. :)

    It tempts me too, Yvonne, though I remember my cycling days of long, long ago and think I'll stick with yoga and stairs!

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  15. Cafe PasadenaAugust 1, 2011 at 3:17 AM

    An Auzzie won? An Aussie won??
    There must be some mistake! Unheard of. 1st the doping scandals, and now This!!
    Will you double-ck that. In fact, will you triple-ck on that!!
    Thank You, ShSh.

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  16. VenetiaMicioAugust 1, 2011 at 4:39 AM

    Pauvre petite Ella qui attend dernière la porte immense ! Je n'aime pas trop la savoir sur un trottoir parisien, c'est dangereux, dis lui de venir retrouver Micio et Tadzio ici dans mon jardin en Provence ...
    Comme Angelo tu aimes peindre les portes : Paris, Venise et ailleurs
    bisous ma belle
    Danielle

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  17. MiseAugust 1, 2011 at 7:52 AM

    This is lovely, and in such a dignified shade of yellow - vintage yellow as in an expensive getaway car. And well done maillot-clad Australia!

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  18. KatieAugust 1, 2011 at 11:23 AM

    If wearing a pink tutu is what it takes to get inside these beautiful Parisian doors then count me in! I figure Kitty must have the inside scoop on the fabulous party going on inside. Maybe this is where the Peloton parties after Le Tour. Such fun to see Evans win!

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  19. Shell SherreeAugust 1, 2011 at 5:05 PM

    Cafe ~ sorry to shock you. :) The first is a first {after coming second twice. Really.} And I'm sure it won't be the last.

    VenetiaMicio ~ hmm, tu as raison. Quelqu'un devrait lui laisser tout de suite! Someone needs to let her in immediately. Bisous to you and your adventurous Micio and Tadzio...

    Thank you, Mise. I like your notion of that shade of yellow.

    Katie ~ any excuse for a pink tutu!

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  20. Genie -- Paris and BeyondAugust 2, 2011 at 12:58 AM

    We were so thrilled for Cadel and all our Aussie friends. He has twice "been a bridesmaid" on the podium but not taking the highest honor. We all felt his tearful emotions seen through those transparent blue eyes... Crikey, Cadel!

    Love your kitty and her tutu!

    Bises,
    Genie

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  21. Shell SherreeAugust 2, 2011 at 5:09 PM

    How sweet you are, Genie!

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  22. VirginiaAugust 3, 2011 at 12:48 AM

    And my Meeps is sitting here gazing at "her" portrait avec tutu. she says I must buy here one this minute. I love your pumpkin take on these wonderful doors in the Marais sweet Shell. Merci,
    V

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  23. JoytiAugust 3, 2011 at 3:31 AM

    The Tour de France hasn't made it to the news/tv here...so I didn't know actually.
    But Meeps looks very cute indeed. Lovely illustration!

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  24. Shell SherreeAugust 3, 2011 at 9:37 AM

    Thank you for the inspiration, dear V! I'm glad you and Meepsie love it. Bises...

    Indie.Tea ~ I never thought the day would come when I'd be a source of news. :)

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  25. AnnAugust 4, 2011 at 11:43 PM

    What a lovely artwork ♥

    Oh I'm not as updated about the Tour de France this year as I was during Lance Armstrong's time... nice to know how it ended and who won. Thanks for the info.

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  26. MargaretAugust 5, 2011 at 2:34 AM

    Hooray for Cadel Evans, and I bet he did without steroids too, unlike certain Americans I can think of.

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  27. Shell SherreeAugust 5, 2011 at 11:09 PM

    You're on the money there, Margaret. He's as clean as a bright and shiny whistle!

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  28. Shell SherreeAugust 5, 2011 at 11:10 PM

    You're most welcome, Ann, and thank you for the sweet heart!

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Merci, grazie, thank you for joining our conversation lounge. Your smile lights up the room. Even more beautifully than our crystal chandelier. x

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